Molding machine



Jan. 24, 1928,

w. H. NICHOLLS MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l m T N E V m l l z' lliam fK/Vic/zolls.

ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1923;

W. H. NICHOLLS MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1925 5 Shgegs-Sheet 2 /0 XNVENTOR A 14 11/12?! /rf M'c/za/ls ATTORNEY6 Jan. 24, 1928. 1,656,951

W. H. 'NICHOLLS MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1928.

W. H. NICHOLLS MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1925 5 Shgets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR a 1447/10/21 /7 M'c/wlls ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-5115a; 5

W. H. NICHQLLS MDLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1925 Jan. 24, 1928.

XNVENTOR 14 17 Nam fl. A/lc/zol/s ATTORNEYS Fetented Jan. 24, i928.

warren snares earner OFFICE.

"WILLIAM H. NICI- OLLS, OF BROGKLYN, NE'W YDR-K.

nonnnve MACHINE.

Application filed February 10 mold and then the flask, with the complete mold therein, is lifted from the machine. These flas s are sometimes quite heavy and the removal of them from the molding machine is quite a laborious operation.

One of the important objects of this in vention is to provide means "whereby after the molding operation is finished and the pattern withdrawn from the mold the flask will be automatically lifted from the flask lmldiiv frame and iositioned so that it ma 7 O I l be rolled laterally away from the molding mechanism. In the embodiment of the invention described herein and shown in the drawin the ilasl: lifting means is operated by the return of the mold making mechanism to its normal at rest position.

Another important objectof the invention is to provide means whereby the upper presser head will automatically move away from x the flask after the mold s ueezin o ieration.

As shown in the drawings and as described herein the upper presser head is automatically moved away from the mold byreturn of the mold making mechanism to its normal at rest position.

Another important object of the invention is to supportthe upper presser head by means of horizontal outwari'lly extending; journals or stub shafts rigidly connected to the sides of the head, and to provide means whereby the mold making mechanism will swing the presser head upwardly and away from the mold by the (glownward movement of the in old in akin g mech anism There other important objects and advantages of the invention which will. herein utter appear. l p r in the drawings, Fig. l is a. side elevation of. the machine showing the flask lifting i means elevated;

18, 1925. Serial No. 10,620.

Fig. 2 a rear elevation of the machine with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a transverse, sectional view of the machine taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, the parts being in position ready for the squeezing operation;

l ig. 4 a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the machine showing the parts in position for the squeezing operation; I

lfig. 5 a detail perspective view showing a portion of'the flask lifting mechanism and the means for rocking the upper presser head;

chine showing the squeeze piston in place, a portion of the machine being shown in horizontal sectional view;

Fig. 7 a detail view of the upper presser head; v

Fig. 8 a detail plan view of the jolt piston;

Fig. 9 a detail plan view of theflask supporting frame; Fig. 10 a cross section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 4, showing the flask stopping means on the delivery track in stopping; position; .Fig. ll a View similar to Fig. 10, showing the flask stopping means in release posi tion; and i Fig. 12 a detail section on the line 12-,12 of Fig. 1., showing the flask stopping means on the lifting track in release position.

Referring to the various parts by IlUlTb erals l designates the base of the machine. This base carries a verticalcylinder 2 which is open at its upper end and closed at its lower end by a horizontal wall 3 which forms a part oh, the base. The base is. formed at diametrically opposite points with two laterally extending horizontal extensions or arms l. in eachot' these-arms is rigidly mounted an upstanding rigid post 5, each postcarrying at its upper end horizontally disposed tubular bearing 6.

The upper presser head 7 is formed with a pressure face 8 and the two upwardlyextending side frames 9. Each side frame. nearits upper end, is formed with an outwardly extending axle or stub shaft 1O which fits in the tubular bearings 6. The

Fig. 6 a plan view of the base of themaprtqjionderai'iee of weight is oil' the center of the axle 10 so that the presser' heat would normally tend to assume a. position with the pressure face 8 horizontal and directly over the mold making mechanism. The side frames 9 are il'ormed on their upper ends with laterally extending brackets or webs 11, to which are secureil counter weights 1?. These counter weights are slightly olf center so that the preponderanceof weight thereof will tend to swing the pressure face beyond its horizontal position. The side frames are also formed with laterally extending webs 12 on one of which is mounted an adjustable stop 1?). This adjustable stop is adapted to contact with av rigid stop ll projecting inwardly from one. of the rigid posts 5. The adjustable stop 1? will engage the stop ll: when the pressure plate 8 is in a true horizontal position directly over the flask. The preponderance of weight of the counter weights 1.2 will hold these stops in engagement. The counler balance weights 1; are so arrai'iged and so proportioned that it will require a very slight force erierted on the shaft. it] to rock the presser head into its upper inoperative position. Each stub shaft 10 provided with a grooved rigid collar 15, around each of which is wound a cable 16. The lower end of these cables are connected to mechanism which will be hereinafter described. To the pressure face 8 is rigidly secured a presser board 17 which is adapted to enter the mold tlasl; and to compress the sand therein during the mold squeezing operation.

, In the cylinder 2 is fitted a it rge squeezing piston 18. The upward movement of this squeezing piston is limited by two headed bolts 19 rigidly secured in the bottom wall 3 and extending upwardly through the bottom wall of the squeeze piston. These bolts accurately guide the squeeze piston and the. headed ends thereof limit the upward movement of said piston. The lower end of the squeeze piston is closed by a wall 20 and the upper wall of the piston is provided with openings to permit the escape of air therefrom and also to permit access to the guide bolts l9. A. small rertically arranged cylinder 21 is formed on the center and within the squeeze piston, the upper end of this small cylinder being open and the lower end thercot' being 'l'ormml by the bottom wall of the squeeze piston. A short distance above the bottom of this cyl inder ii is formed an exhaust, port 212. Mounted in the small cylinder 21 a jolt piston This piston 23 is: provided, with a cross wall 52% a short distance upwardly from its lower end. Extending through this cross wall is an air supply pipe which leads out through the upper end said piston and to an air control valve mounted in any suitable position on the base for convenient manipulation by the operator. An air supply pipe 27 leads from the air control valve into the cylinder below the squeeze piston 18. By prrq ierly manipulating the air control \itli: air may be admitted under the jolt piston tor the jotting operation and then under the squeeze piston for the mold squeezing operation.

Formed integrally with the upper end of the jolt piston is a jolt and squeeze head in. The lower end of this head is :ulapted to rest; on the upper end of the squeeze piston. Formed on the head are four radial diagonal arms 22) which 'arry vertically depei'idiug tubular sockets 30. ()u the upper surface of the head are formed upwardly extending vertical flanges 3t which form a horizontal support for a. rectangular pattern plate supporting frame The said sup porting frame may be SQCfilllQtl to the head 13% in any suitable manner. The 'iattern plate. 33 -5 is rigidly secured to the upper side of the holding frame in a suital'ile manner. The sockets 3t.) reciprocate. vertically through tubular guides -5- formed on the base. said tubular guides being supported by horizon-- tal extensions of the base arraugiul between the arms :l: and the base. The sockets an art of considerable length and in the lowermost position of the jolt and squeeze pistons extend below the guides.

In the arn'is 4, adjacent the inner sides of the pistons 5 are formed rcrtical sockets $1.3 in which are mounted vertical plunger rods 36. The upper ends of these rods are connected to the end bars of a liasl; supporting frame 537. The end bars ot said frame are connected together at their ends by the trout and rear bars 38 so that the flash supporting means is an open rectangular 'l'ranie baring end bars and front and rear bars. This llash supporting frame surrounds the pattern plate holding frame and in its normal. or at rest, position. is in substantially the same l::. .izontal plane as said holding frame. (hi the front. and rear bars of the tiasl: holding frame are nniiunted llasl; receiving rails ill). said rails being suitably secured in po ition. The upper surfaces of the rails ll) are llush with the upper surface of the pattern plate when the jolt and squeeze pistons are in their lowermost positions so that when a llasl; 1llLllIl)tl-l l is placed in position its side r le will rest directly on the pattern plate and trout and rear walls will rest on the rails 13!? and also on the upper r-au'l ace of the pattern plat as shown in Fig. l.

The flash supporting frame is prorided at each of its corners with a dcpeniling rigid guiding pin ll: and these pills slide in the sockets 30 carried by the head E28. 'lhese guide pins assist in accurately guiding the pattern plate holding frame during the. pat tern drawing peratiou. When the flash wees '30 so that the said frame will partake of every movement of the jolt and squeeze pis' ton except during the pattern drawing operation. luide pins 41 fit accurately in their sockets in order to accurately guide the pat-- tern holding frame and the flask holding frame during the pattern drawing opera tions. The sockets 3Q accurately guide the plunger rods and each socket isenlarged to form an oil chamber. v

Extending horizontally through the base and through the lower portions of the sockets are horizontal rock shaftsdQ, said shafts being adjacent the inner sides of the plunger rods 36. Each rock shaft carries a locking dog 43 which extends upward. y close to the adjacent plunger rod and is adapted to engage a notch in said plunger rod. The rear ends of the rock shafts extend through the base and each carries crank arm fl, one of said arms extending upwardly and the other downwardly as shown in Fig. 2. The outer ends of these arms are connected together by a link 45 so that said roe-l: shafts 4-2 will move in unison. Connected to the forward endof one of said rock shafts is an operating lever 46. Mounted on one of the rock shafts is a counter balance weight 47 which tends to throw the locking dogs out of and away from the notches in the plungers The locking dogs may be thrown into engagement with the plungers 36 and out of engagement therefrom by manipulating the lever 46. i

The operation of forming a mold in a machine of the type herein described is as follows:

The flask is placed in position on the pattern plate and 011 the flask holding frame. The flash is filled with sand and the valve turned to permit air to pass through pipe 25 to lift the jolt piston, the head 28 and the flask carrying frame. until the exhaust port 22 is uncovered. The jolting operation is continued until the sand is properly packed around the pattern. After the jolting operation the air valve is rotated to supply air through the pipe 27 under the squeeze piston. The pressurehead 7 is so positioned that when the squeezing operation is co1npleted the locking dogs 4:3 may be dropped into the notches in the plungers 36. When the messing operation is eon'iplete the air valve is turned to exhaust air from beneath the piston 18. This permits the pistons, the

i fhen the pattern drawing operation is complete the pattern is freed from the mold and the flask is supported above the pattern and is ready to be removed.

The means for automatically lifting thev flash from the flask holding frame consists of a pair of lifting conveyor bars 48 extending fore-andaft of the machine near each end of the flask holding frame close to the ends of the flask 4.0 and close to the ends of the flash receiving rails 85. Each bar 4L8 is mounted at its ends in the upper ends of depending vertically reciprocating rods 49 and 41:9. tubular guides 50 carried by the flask supporting frame at the corners thereof. In the normal at rest position of the bars l8 they rest directly on the upper ends of the tubular sockets 50, as shown in Fig. In this position of the bars they are below the lower edges of the flask walls and below the upper surfaces of the flask supporting rails and the upper surface of the pattern plate 33. The lower ends of the forward. pair of rods l9 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of inwardly extending levers 51. Each of these levers is pivoted on the lower end of a depending lug 52 which is carried by the flask supporting frame. The inner end of each of the levers 51 carries an upwardly extending pin 53, said pins extending through an operating lug 5st rigidly secured to the outermarginal edge of the jolt and squeeze piston head "28. The pins 53 are provided with adjustable stop collars or nuts and 56 spaced above and below the lug 5st so that the lug has a lost motion connection with the pins. The lugs 5% engage the stops 55 and 56 in the operation of the jolt piston. The lower ends of the rear pair of bars 4:9 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of levers 51*. The levers 51 are pivoted in the lower ends of depending lugs 52 carried by the flask supporting frame on the opposite side thereof from the lugs 52. The inner ends of the levers 51 are connected to vertically extending pins 53 carrying adjustable stops 55 and 56 and operating through a lug 54, the pins and lug of the levers 51 operating precisely as the corresponding pins and lug of the levers 51. The pivotal points between the levers 51 and the lugs 52 are somewhat closer to the reciprocating bars +119 than are the pivotal points between the levers 5]. and the lugs 52. The purpose of this is to secure a slightly greater upward movement of the rods 4-9 so that the forward ends of the conveyor bars or tracks l8 will be raised slightly higher than the rear ends thereof, as will be hereinafter de" scribed. Each of the bars as carries on its inner side a series of flanged rollers 57 which are arranged directly under and are adapted to be moved upwardly into engagement with the adjacent side edges of the flask, as shown 1 These rods are guided in depending lQU clearly in Fig. The side edges of the flask extend slightly beyond the pattern plate in order that the rollers 57 may be moved upwardly directl into contact with the thi h in order to lift it, as hereinafter described. The forward ends of the track bars in are raised higher than the rear ends thereof in order to incline the traekway rearwardly and downwardly to permit the flasks to he readily rolled from the track bars to the roller coi'ivejeor 38 at the rear of the machine. A roller conveyor 59 is: arranged at the tront of the machine so that flasks may he placed thereon ainl rolled directly t'lltlft'lilfllll on to the track liars while said liars are in their elevated position.

The large squeeze piston 18 is provided at euhatanlially opposite points with outwardly extending horizontal pins (50. These pins move in ertical alots formed in the upper end ol? the cylinder 2 in which the :apieeze piston reciprocates. These pins tit) are adapted to engage the. upper ends of vertical rods til which are guided in vertical openings in the arms l of the base. The lower ends ot these rods are rigidly secured to a horizontal cross liar (32. This cross bar is curved, as shown, to extend around the haae l and the outer ends thereof are eonnected to upstanding rods 6 The up per ends of rods 63 are connected to the lower ends of the cables 16. The pins (it) and the rods (it are so arranged that the pins (in will engage the upper ends ot the rods til. when the squeeze piston has approached the limit of its downward movement. hen the rods til are forced downwardly by the downward. movement of the squeeze, piston the .shaili'ts it) are rocked in their l. airings and the preeaer head 7 is swung upwardly to the position shown in Fin. 1. When the squeeze piston if? moved u iwartlly the preset-1 head will, automatically swing down into operative position.

The operation of the llasl; lifting mechanism is as follows:

After the joltinn operation the squeeze piston is tort-ed up\\'ardl :tor the mold squeezing operation. As the squeeze piston moves upwardlv the pins (51. are free to move. upwardly and this permits the press'er head. i to owing: down into position tor the pressiuooperaliou directly over the. llar li. l'he lop:-1 l3, and ii arreat the haul n proper por ition. The upward uiovtnnenl of the WlllftZl, piston carries-1 with it the iollinp; and ripurezin r head. the pattern plate. the tlaslt. holding trauie and the tlarlz. The flash ll tlirur mechanism moves upwardly with the llaali h'lllliltlllilifl l'ranie during the jolting operation and all ol this mechanism lllUTtfi t ttelhrr and there will he no relative movement between the tracks l8 and the llael; su 'ipoding :trame. During the squeezing operation the tracks l8 remain in idle position below the lower edge of the llarelt. Alter the sipieezing operation the handle it; it moved to throw the locking dogs ll-ii into engagement with the notches in the plung -ti:

$36 to tluerehy lock up the tlasl: holding l'rcune and permit the jolt and squeeze pistons; and the pattern plate to move dowirwardly to draw the pattern from the llllSli or mold. After the pattern has been drawn from the mold the lugs hat carried h the head of the jolt pieton will engage'the lower atop collars: at; on pins 53 and l'oree downwardly the humor ends oi the lev rs hi and ill. The lugs 52 and 52 are, locked up and held vita tionz'iry by the dog's 41 1i engaging the notches in the plungers Iltl. l he upper end: at the lovers 5i and 51. will he termed up wardly therehj movingupwardly the lJEtl'. t!) and it). "the upward lnovenurnt ol the lJZtl'S it and ill will carry the traelm hi upwardly and hring the rolloi'a 5T info ex went with the lower edges ojli' the the flask. The continued downward more nieut ot the jolt piston. will .l'orce the llrhdt up *ardl v. lilting it away' from the pattern plate and ahove the usual. guide pine. aa shown in liiu. .l. lhcause ol the arrannement of the pivots ot the lovers ill. lhe :torward. ends oi? the track hora ht will h rained slightly higher than the rear en-ila. This will incline the tract: hare ill oli e'hil r rearwardlj and downwardhv' to lai-ililaie the movement of the think rearwardl .lfron the track hare +18 and on to the roller eonrevor 58. While the trarlc lltlllri are elevated a flask may he rolled from the courtwor so directly on to the traeli' har rollers and into position directly over the pattern plate. llhen the empty ilasl; properly potaii ioned so that the guide pins on the llaslc hohline' frame will enter the aperturea in the guide lug-t; :l'orined on the llaali. the leri-r ll; lrl operated to release the dog's .t'roin the pinneera 36. '.llii:--: permits the llaali holding; iran'ie to lower to the pattern plate. "lhe downward movement of the llllHlt supporting :trzune returns the tract; liar: l t to their positions ol? rest on the upper edge: of the sockets Fill, in which position the r are h low the flash, an hereinhetore tltbt'lllhtl.

It for any reason the rode in and lit etielt in their sockets so that the conveyor lJlll'H -lrl do not drop down to and reat upon the upper edge: oi the Sl'lt'lttlH ol' aaid rode ill and ill"; the downward nioveuienl o l' the llaeli'. holding; lraine will carry the lovers lit, and down- \vardl and bring the upper ,dllllio' in"? into engagement with the lune :rl. lhe lllfll-l Ill at thie time are stationary and the reraill will he that the rods l9 and t l will he pulled downwardly in their aoeltete to luring the hare --8 to their 10 "QIilltJHll positions. The upper atop collars are properly :uliilsihal on their pins to ensure the track bars 48 returning to their normal lowe at rest posh lllll Ill) Hill

rill

(ill

tion when the flask holding frame is lowered. By varying the position of the lower stops the extent of upward movementnof the track 48 may be varied. It is manifest, therefore, that the forward ends of the track bars 48 may be given a slightly greater upward movement than the rear ends of said bars, by so adjusting the stop collars 56 on the pins 53 carried by the leyers 51 that they will be engaged slightly before the lug d at the rear of the machine engages the stop collars to lift the rear ends of the track bars.

The upper presser head is'formed yokeshape, as shown in Fig. 7, so that when it is in its non-pressing position the pressing face of the head will be out of line with the flask on the flask support. The upward swingi ng movement of the presser head removes it from its position directly over the flask and then there is a clear space througlrwhich sand may be dropped from an elevated hopper directly into the flask on the flask holding frame. The yoke-shape of the presser head, as a whole, important in connection with the automatic means for rocking the presser head out of its pressing position because by that means the path through which the sand is dropped is made clear and the presser head will-not interfere with the quick charging of the flask with sand.

In order to properly regulate the delivery of the flasks from the delivery conveyor track 59 to the lifting track of the machine and to properly position a delivered flask upon the lifting track with relation to the pattern plate 83, I have provided stop. means upon both ofsaid tracks to arrest "the movement of the flasks. The stop means upon the track 59 comprise pivoted dogs (Bl pivoted uponthe outer sides of the rails 59 of the track andformed with inwardly extends which carry rollers (35. One of the tormed with an outwardly extend ing operatingarin 66 and said dog opera tively connected to the dog upon the opposite side of the track by means of a rod (37. This rod is so connected to-the two dogswith relation to their pivots that when-the operating arm (36 is pressed downwardly the dogs will be rocked out equally in unison. The outward rocking of the dogs is limited by their contact below their pivots withthe side rails as shown in Fig. :11. In this position of the dogs the-rollers ($5 serve to accurately guide i re pa 'e of the flask from the llill'll 58) to the flanged rollers 57 of the lifting track. Connected to the rod (-37 and to one of the rails is a tension spring 68 which tends to rock the dogs inwardly to flask-stoppin position. \Vhen the flask passes over to the lifting track and out from between the guide rollers 65 the. sorings ($8 automatically sun is the dogs backinto their topping positionshown in Fig. The rolhn-saro then in a position to abut the forward end of' the next flask and hold it. i

he flask stopping means upon the lifting track comprises a dogfiS) pivoted to the outer side of one of the rails l8. This dog is similar to the dogs and carries a flaskengaging roller 70. and an operating arm 71. The dog is also formed with a depending lug T between which and the side rail is interposed a. compression spring 78; This spring tends to hold the dog in flask-stopping position asshown in Fig. 1. To release the flask the dog is swung out-to clearthe end of the flask as shown in Fig. 12. The flask then rides past the roller until it clears it, whereupon the spring 73 automatically snaps the (log back into flask-stopping position. Ow-

. ing to the fact that the rollers 57 of the lift ing track are flanged, the flask will beheld against transverse displacement. A single stop dog will therefore be sufficient to accurately stop the flask upon this track.

\Vhat I claim is:

l. A molding machine comprisinga pattern holding means, a presser head above said holding means, a flask supporting means, means for forcing the pattern holding means and the flask supporting means upwardly to squeeze and compact the sand in the flask, means for holding the flask sup porting means in an elevated position while the pattern holding means is lowered to withdraw the pattern from the mold, a shiftable flask lifting-and conveying means carried by the flask supporting means normally below the flask, means for raising the forward end of the said conveying means higher than the rear end thereof to raise the flask from its supporting meansand permit the flask to move reaiuvardly and downwardlyon the convey r away from the molding machine, and means adapted to move downwardly with the pattern holding means for autonmtically operating the flask lifting means. i

2. A molding machine comprising a Ver ticall-yreciprocable pattern holding means,

a flask supporting means, mcansfor holding the flask supporting means while the pattern holding means lowered to withdraw thepatternfrom the mold, flask lifting andconveying track means normally below the flask, and means operable by the downward movementof the pattern holding means to elevate the trackmeans into engage ment with the flask andincline said track means, whereby the flask is lifted from its support and permitted to move. over said inclined track means downwardly and outwardly away from the machine.

A. molding machine comprising a vertically reciprocable pattern holding means, a flask supporting means, means for holding the flask supporting means while the pattern holding means-is lowered to withtil draw the pattern from the mold, a shiltahlo flask lifting and conveyor t 'aclc, and means automatically operated by the downward movement of the pattern holding means to shift the track upwardly whereby the track engages and lifts the flask tree from its support and positions it for outward movement away from the machine over the track.

at. A molding machine comprising a vertieally reciprocahle pattern holding means, a flask si'ipporting means, means for holding the llaslt supporting means whileithe pattern holding meansis lowered to withdraw the pattern from the mold, a shiltahle flash lifting and conveyor track, and means adapted to he operated by the pattern hold ing means to shift the track i'ipwardly and incline it whereby the flask is engaged by the tract and lifted tree from its support ing means and positioned for downward and oijitward movement away from the n1achine over the inclined track.

5. A molding machine comprising, a flash. support, a pattern drawing mechanism, a flask lifting and conveying means for raising the flask from its support after the pattern drawing operation whereby the hash may he moved laterally thereiiiver outwardly from the machine, and means for automati ally operating the flask lifting means by the pattern drawing mecl1anis1n.

(3. A molding machine cianprisine' a moldsqueezinp; head, a pattern holding means, a flask supporting means, means for 'lt'orcing the pattern holding means and the llasl: supporting m ans upwardly toward said head to squeeze and compact the sand in the flask, means for holding the flask supporting means in an elevated position while the pattern holding means is lowered to withilraw the pattern from the mold, vertically movahle rods rarried by the llasl; supporting means, llask conveying means carried h said rods and adapted to engage and lift the. llask from its supporting; means, and means carried by the Pl tlern hohling means to elevate the vertical rods as the said holding means moves downwardly.

7. A molding machine comprising a mold squeezing head, a pattern holding; mains, a, flask supporting means, means for tracing the pattern holding means and the .llaslr supporting means upwardly toward said head to squeeze and compact the sand in the dash, means for holding; the llaslr support ing means in an elevated position while the pattern holding means is hiwered to with draw the pattern from the mold, vertically nuwing rods carried by the flash supportine means, flash conveying means carried hy said vertical rods and extendii'lg tore-and aft of the machine and adapted to engage and lift the llaslt from its supporting means, and means operated by the downward movement of the pattern holding means to elevale the rods at opposite ends of the dash conveying means dillferent distances to elerate and incline the llaslr eonveyiugr means.

8. In a molding; machine the iannhinalion ot a base, an upper pre ser head, a rertically reeiproeatinp nioid squeezing; means adup l to trace the mold upwardly :u ainsi said head tosqiieeretlie mold and to Elan lower it from said head, and an operative eoniuaztiou between the mold squeezing nu'ans and the upper presaer head for automatically iuovin i' the said head awzc from its pro-Jaim posi tion during the movement ol the mold 1-r ueeicingr means to its lower por, tion. i

9. In a moldine machine the comhinatiou ot a has, an upper presser head, means supporting said head for swim 'nig nim'emeuli, into and oul oli mold pri position. a verti tally ,l'Ct-llJltitdtl ill mold sipieezing means adapted to tore-e the mold upwardly against said head to squeeze the mold and to then lower it away 'l'rom said head. and m ans controlled by the upward and downward movements i'espectircly ol said i-apieezing means :lor automatically whirring the upper presser head into and out ol its pressing position.

10. In a molding;- machine the cimil'iinatiou ol a base, an upper presser head, ineulls forming a lixed horizontal. pii'olal support for said head, a vertically reci n'ocating mold sipieezine' means adapted to torre the mold ul'iwardly against the said head to squeeze the mold and to then lower it away from said head, and an operidiire connection lJEJlTWeLPH said mold 1 ueezimr means and the upper premier head lfor automal ieal y rec-hing the p1 r head upwardly away from its pressing position daring the movement ol? the mold uiieeziiui means to its lower position and lowering said head into pre .1' position upon upward uuo'eineut of said squeezing means.

ll. EL nmhlinp; apparatus coi1'1pri:;=iu,e" a flask, siu'iport, means l'or squeezing sand about a pattern in a lies; on said :--upporl, a tlaslc conveyor (intending past said supporl. means For eausiug a relative vertical more ment hotween said. conveyor and support to separate a llasl: in which the sand has heen squeezed lrom the 1 ask support and leave it sup 'iinrted on the conveyor 'l'or nulu'emeiu; away :trom the squeezing means, a llaslt supplying conveyor adjacent one end ol. the other coi1re ,'oi-ai1il adapli'al to deliver a flash thereto, rehaasahh: stop means wtraiuiue' delivery of a llasli' from the supplying eonreyor. and role: sahle stop means il'or holding a hash on the tirstanenlioned conveyor from movement awzrr lroiu the ioueeiziiuz; iueuuw.

12. A molding amniralus eomprisiuir a illaslr support, means :lior soueezine sand about a pattern in a flash". on said support, a, flash conveyor extending past said support. means for :ausing relative vertical morel lifi lit ment between said conveyorand support to separate a flask in which sand has been squeezed from the flask support and leave said flask supported on the conveyor for movement away from the squeezing means, a flask supplying conveyor arranged to tie liver a flask to the first-mentioned conveyor :tor a mold squeezing operation, releasable stop means for preventing movement of a flask from the supplying conveyor until desired, and means normally urging said stop means into flask-holding position.-

13. A molding apparatus comprising a flask support, means for squeezing sand about a pattern in a flask on said support, a flask conveyor extending past said support, means for causing relative vertical movement between said conveyor and support to separate a flask in which sand has been squeezed from the flask support and leave said flask supported on the conveyor for movement away from the squeezing means, a flasksupplyin conveyor arranged to deliver a flask to the first-mentionedconveyor tor a mold squeezing operation, and releasable means for holding a flask on the supplying conveyor until it is desired to deliver tliesame to the first-mentioned conveyor, said releasable holding means being adapted when in release position to guide a flask in its passage from one conveyor to the other.

Li. A molding apparatus comprising mold squeezing mechanism, a flask conveyor eX- tending through the squeezing mechanism, and releasable stop means for arresting a flask on the conveyor in cooperative relation with the mold squeezing mechanism.

15. In a molding apparatus, in combination, an elevated laterally shiftable presser head, means for forcing a pattern plate and a superposed flask upwardly in unison toward said head to squeeze a mold and then lower first the pattern plate and then the flask to draw a pattern from the squeezed mold, a flask receiving and discharging conveyor movable up and down under said head, means controlled by movement of the pattern plate to normal lowered position for automatically raising said conveyor to a flask receiving and discharging position in which flasks maybe moved laterally in a path above a pattern on the pattern plate out of and into position over said plate, and means whereby said conveyor may be restored to its normal lowered position to bring a flask delivered thereon into cooperative relation with the pattern plate for a mold squeezing operation.

16. In a melding apparatus, in combination, an elevated laterally shiiftable presser head, means for forcing a pattern plate and superposed flask upwardly in unison to ward said head to squeeze a mold and then lower first the pattern plate and then the flask to draw a pattern from the squeezed mold, a flask receiving and discharging conveyor movable up and down under said head, means controlled by movement of the pattern plate to normal lowered position for automatically raising said conveyor to a flask receiving and discharging position in which flasks may be moved laterally in a path above a pattern on the pattern plate out of and into position over said plate, means whereby said conveyor may be restored to its normal loweredposition to bring a flask delivered thereon into cooperative relation with the pattern plate for a mold squeezing operation, and automatically operating means for shifting the presser head laterally into and out of mold pressing position above the pattern plate, said means acting to hold said head laterally displaced relatively to the pattern plate while said plate is in its normal lowered position to permit lilling of a flask with sand after said flask is lowered into cooperative relation with the pattern plate by said conveyor 17. A molding machine comprising a vertically operating mold squeezing means, a

flask support moved vertically by said squeezing means to squeeze the mold, a flask conveyor, and means to automatically cause a transference of a flask from the support to the conveyor by the vertical operation of the squeezing means.

18. In a molding machine the combination of a vertically reciprocable mold squeezing means, an upper presser head supported over saidsqueezing means, a flask support; a flask conveyor; and means whereby a single upand-down movement of the squeezing means will first raise the flask support and the conveyor to squeeze the mold, and then relatively move the flask-support and the con veyor to separate the flask from the flask support and transfer it to the conveyor.

19. In a molding machine the combination of a vertically reciprocable mold squeezing means, an upper presser head supported over said squeezing means, a flask support adapted to be moved upwardly toward said presser head by the squeezing means; a flask conveyor; means whereby the upward movement of the squeezing means will raise the said conveyor with the flask support and position it to receive a flask from the flask support; means to hold the conveyor in its raised position against downward movement; means whereby the downward movement of the squeezing means will cause a relative vertical movement of the flask support and the conveyor to free the flask from the flask support and transfer it to the conveyor; and means to release the conveyor holding means to permit it to drop to its normal lower position. 1

20. Ina mold tion out an upper presser head, a'flask support, mold squeezing means operated by ung machine the combinaiii,

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fluid pressure to force the flask support and a flask thereon u nvai'dly toward said presser head to squeeze a mold and adapted to gravitate away from the head after the .--:qucezing ope 'ation to lower the flask, a flask lifting eol'ivevor mounted to move upwardly with the flask support and to shift vertically relatively thereto, and an operative connection bctwcen the mold squeezing means and said conveyor to autonn'itically shift the con veyor to lift a flask from the support during the gravitatixnial movement of the squeezing means. the conveyor being adapted to support the flask for lateral movement there-along outwardly away from the ma chine.

it. In a molding machine the combination of an upper presser haul, a flask support, mold squeezing means operated by fluid pressure to force the flask siqjiport and a flask thereon upw: rdly 'toiard said presser head to squeeze a mold and adapted to grav- .itate away from the head aft er the squeezing operation to lower the flask, and an opera Live connection between the squeezing means and the presser head to automatically shift the head out of vertical alinement with the simportcil flask when the squeezing means gravitates and to cause it to swing it into alinement. with the flask when the squeezing means is forced upwardly.

In a molding machine the combination of an upper presser head, a flask support, mold squeezing means operated by fluid pressure to force the flask support and a flask thereon tqnvardly toward said presser head to squeeze a mold and adapted to gravitate a *ay from the head after the squeezing operation to lower the flask, a flask lifting conveyor mounted to move upwardly with the flask support and to shift vertically relatively thereto, an operative connection between the mold squeezing means and said conveyor lo auiomati ally shift the conveyor to lift a flask from the. support during the gravitational. movement of the squeezing means the conveyor being adapted to support the flask for lateral movement therealong outwardly away from the machine, and an operative connection between the squeezing means and the presser head to auto1nati-ally shift the h rad out: of vertiail alinement with the supported flask when the squeezing means gravitates and to cause it, to swing it into alinement with the flask when the squeezing means is forced. upwardly.

2 In a iholdil'ig machine the combination of a vertically reeiprorsble mold-squeezing means inchidii'ig a flask support, an upper presser head located over said support to have the flask and mold forced against it by said squeezing means, means supporting said iiresser head to swing about a horizontal axis to an inoperative position out of vertical alinement with the flask support, the head and its supporting na-ans being formed to provide clearance for a vertical delivery of sand downwardly across the axis of the head and into the flask when the head occupies its ll'lOIJCl'illilVG pmsition.

21'. In a molding machine the combination of a verti ailly reciprm'able luold-sqneezing means including a flask support, an upper presser head located over said support to have the flask and mold l'orr-ed against it. by said squeezing means, .ineans supporting said presser head to swing about a horizontal axis to an iiioperativc positioi'i out of vertical alinement with the flask support, the head and its sup iorting means being formed to provide clearance for a vertical delivery of sand downwardly across the axis of the head andginto the flask when the head occupies its immerative position. and an opera tive connection between the mohl-squeezing means and the presscr head to automatically swing the head to its inoperative position when the squeezing means recedes from the head.

25. In a molding machine the combination of a vertically reciprocable mold squeezing means, an upper presser head supported over said squeezing means, a flask support adapted to be moved upwardly toward said presser head by the squeezing in runs, a flask lifting conveyor mounted to move vcrtici fly with the support and to be shifted vertici lly relatively to it, means to arrest the descent of the flask support and conveyor when the squeezing mains recedes from the prcsser head, and an operative connection between the squeezing means and the conveyor to automati :ally shift; the conveyor to separate a flask from the support as the descent of the squeezing means continues, the conveyor being adapted to support the separ: ted flask for lateral delivery thcrealong away from the machine.

2U. In a molding machine the combination of a vertically rcciprin-able mold sqncczimi; means, an upper presser head supported over said squeezii'ig means, a flask support: adapted to be moved upwardly toward said presser head by the squeezing means, a flask lilting conveyor, and means operable by a vertical movement of the squeezing means to automatisally cause a relative vertical moven'ient between the flask support and said conveyor and cause the conveyor and a flask on the support to be brought into engagement with each other after the squeezing of the mold in the flask and the flask thereby sepa'ated from the support and transferred to the conveyor, the conveyor being adapted to support the separated flask for lateral delivery thereon outwardly away from the machine.

27. A molding machine comprising a mold squeezing and pattern drawing animus, a

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"pattern holding means a flasksupporting Eli means, means for holding the flask supporting means to withdraw thepattern fro nrthe mold, shiftableflaskdifting and conveying means for raising the flask tree fron'nthe flask supporting means and posi, i oning it for outward movement away from gllllll machine over said conveying means, and

means adapted to be automatically operated by the pattern drawing movement of the machine to operate the flask lifting means.

28. A molding machine comprising a pattern plate holding means, a flask supporting means, means for forcing the pattern plate holding means and the flask supporting means u iwardly to squeeze and compact the sand in the flask, means for holding the flask supporting means in an elevated position while the pattern holding means is lowered to withdraw the pattern from the mold, means mounted on the flask siqiiporting means for lifting the flask from the flask supporting means, said lifting means comprising a pair of lifting and conveyor bars carrying a series of rollers adapted to en gage the end walls of the flask, said bars in their elevated position inclining rearwardly and downwardly, and means carried by the pattern plate holding means and adapted to operate the lifting means as said holding means moves downwardly.

29. A molding machine comprising a pattern plate holding means, a flask supporting means, means for forcing the pattern plate holding means and the flask supporting means upwardly to squeeze and compact the sand in the flask, means for holding the flask supporting means in an elevated position while the pattern holding means is lowered to withdraw the pattern from the mold, and flask lifting and conveying means mounted on the flask supporting means for raising the flask free from the flask supporting means and positioning it for outward movement from the machine over the conveying means, and means for automatically operating the flask li't'ting means by the down ard movement of the pattern plate holding means.

30. In a molding machine the combination of a support, a squeeze piston mounted therein, a jolt piston within the squeeze piston, a pattern plate holding means carried by the squeeze piston, a flask supporting means, means for operating the joltpiston for the jolting operation, means for moving the squeeze piston upwardly for the squeezing operation, an upper presser head, and means operated by the downward movement of the squeeze piston to move the upper presscr head away from its squeezing position.

31. In a molding machine the combination of a support, a squeeze piston mounted therein, a jolt piston within the squeeze forthe jolting operation, means for moving the squeeze piston upwardly toihthe squeezlngflQphtttlOll, means whereby theupward noyement o't' thesqueezepiston will carry .w th it the pattern plate holding meansand the flask supporting means, means for looking up the flask supporting means to permit the pattern plate holding means to move downwardly to withdraw the pattern from the mold, an upper presser head, and means operated by the downward movement of the squeeze piston to move the upper presser head away from its squeezing position.

32. In a molding machine the combination of a support, a squeeze piston mounted therein, a jolt piston within the squeeze piston a pattern plate holding means carried by the squeeze piston, a flask supporting means, means for operating the jolt piston tor the jolting operation, means for moving the squeeze piston upwardly torthe squeezing operation, means whereby the upward movement of the squeeze piston will carry with it the pattern plate holding means and the flask supporting means, means for locking up the flask supporting means to permit the pattern plate holding means to move downwardly to withdraw the pattern from the mold, an upper presser head, and means operated by the downward movement of the squeeze piston to move the upper presser head upwardly away from its squeezing posltlon.

. 33. In a molding machine the combination of a support, a squeeze piston mounted therein, a jolt piston within the squeeze piston, a pattern plate holding means carried by the squeeze piston, a flask supporting means,

means for operating the jolt piston for the ]olt1ng operation, means for moving the squeeze piston upwardly for the squeezing operation, means whereby the upward movement oi the squeeze piston will carry with it the pattern plate holding means and the flask supporting means, means for locking up the flask supporting means to permit the pattern plate holding means to move downwardly to withdraw the pattern from the mold, an upper presser head, and means operated by the downward movement of the squeeze piston to rock the upper presser head upwardly and away from its squeezing position.

84. A foundry machine comprising a flask support, a pattern drawing mechanism, a

flask conveyor track, and means operated by the attern drawing mechanism to cause a relative vertical movement between said track and the flask support whereby the flask is separated from the support and is supported by the flask conveyor track and conveyor track and may be HIOVQll over it laterally relatively to the support, and re- 10 leasable slop means adapted to operate automatically to arrest the IHUYGHiUllt of a flue c upon the track.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature.

\VILLIAM I-l NICTTOTJS. 

